National Institute on Aging
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Lenore J. Launer, Ph.D. Lenore J. Launer, Ph.D., Senior Investigator
Chief, Neuroepidemiology Section
Laboratory of Epidemiology, Demography, and Biometry
E-mail: launerl@nia.nih.gov
Biography: Dr. Launer received her Ph.D. in epidemiology and nutrition from Cornell University. From 1990 to 1999 she held academic appointments in the Netherlands (Erasmus University Medical School, Free University, National Institute for Public Health) where she collaborated in many epidemiologic studies of neurologic diseases including dementia and migraine headache. Dr. Launer joined NIA as Chief of the Neuroepidemiology Section in February 1999.
Research Overview: Studies in the Neuroepidemiology Section focus on understanding the contribution of genetic, inflammatory, metabolic, vascular, and hormonal factors to sub-clinical and clinical outcomes in brain disease and investigating the links between brain disease and other common diseases of old age. Research is conducted using large epidemiologic studies, which allow us to test in the general population, hypotheses on risk/protective factors and mechanisms identified at a more basic science level.
Vascular Factors and AD: Main research interests have focused on the role of vascular factors in brain disease. Genetic epidemiologic studies suggest the known mutations in amyloid processing, tau genes and alpha synucleins hypothesized to play a role in neurodegenerative processes, do not explain the great majority of dementia cases in the general population. These dementias are likely the result of an interaction between environmental factors and multiple genes that make small contributions to processes leading to neurodegeneration. The contribution of modifiable and genetic vascular factors to these dementias is not known. Vascular factors can contribute to neurodegeneration or lead to co-morbidity that increases the severity of dementia. Vascular factors may influence different stages of the dementing process. To this end, several studies have been conducted to examine the relation of vascular factors to different anatomical and functional markers of brain disease including: memory and executive domains of cognitive function; MRI measures of white matter lesions, (sub)-clinical stroke and regional (lobar and hippocampal) brain atrophy; clinical dementia and sub-types (AD and vascular dementia); and neuropathologic markers of AD. Studies are published or in progress to examine blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and lipids. The Honolulu Asia Aging Study (HAAS) has provided the basis for much of the research conducted on vascular factors and dementia. The HAAS is a prospective population-based study of Japanese American men that was initiated in 1965 as a part of the Honolulu Heart Program (HHP). The original cohort consisted of 8,006 Japanese-American men living on Oahu and born 1900 through 1919. When the HAAS was initiated in 1991-1993 there were 4,426 survivors, and 3,734 (80 percent) completed the total examination.
Metabolic Risk Factors for Dementia: Steroidal hormones are hypothesized to modulate (improve) cognitive and affective behavior. There are few population-based studies of the association of steroidal hormones to these behaviors and they are mainly on women. We recently investigated the association of length of reproductive years (as a measure of exposure to endogeneous estrogen) and the risk for incident dementia in a large population-based cohort of women. We found, contrary to expectation, that a longer reproductive period was associated with an increased risk for incident dementia. This raises questions about the role of endogenous steroidal hormones. Investigations into the association of steroidal hormones and incident cognitive impairment and dementia are underway in the HAAS Japanese-American men.
As a further test of the hypothesis that vascular risk factors may contribute to brain disease in old age, we have initiated a sub-study to the NHLBI randomized ACCORD (Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes) Trial. This trial includes a large sample of type 2 diabetics over 55 years of age. It is designed to compare the effects on cardiovascular disease of standard versus intensive treatment of risk factors in diabetics. The trial design allows us to compare the effects of standard versus intensive treatment of hyperglycemia, hypertension, and dyslipidemia on cognitive function and brain structure as measured by magnetic resonance imaging.
Genetic Epidemiology of AD: Alzheimer's disease is a complex genetic disease meaning many genes contribute each with a small contribution. Studies are in progress to identify accurate phenotypes to let us better identify genes that regulate pathology in the pathways leading to dementia. We are also investigating the association of identified candidate genes and the risk for AD. This research is conducted in the context of the HAAS study and the newly initiated Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility (AGES) study, which is conducted together with the Geriatric Epidemiology Section and in collaboration with the Icelandic Heart Association (IHA). The AGES examination is based on a well-defined cohort of 12,000 persons born between 1907-1935 that was established in 1967 by the IHA and followed by them as a part of the Reykjavik Study.
The Neuroepidemiology Section has also carried out studies in the epidemiology of migraine headache, and is developing collaborations with laboratory scientists to bridge the gaps between our knowledge gained in epidemiologic studies with that gained through more basic research.
Publications:

  • Abbott RD, Launer LJ, Rodriguez BL, Ross GW, Wilson PW, Masaki KH, Strozyk D, Curb JD, Yano K, Popper JS, Petrovitch H. Serum estradiol and risk of stroke in elderly men. Neurology. 2007;68(8):563-568.

  • Abbott RD, Ross GW, Petrovitch H, Tanner CM, Davis DG, Masaki KH, Launer LJ, Curb JD, White LR. Bowel movement frequency in late-life and incidental Lewy bodies. Mov Disord. 2007;22(11):1581-1586.

  • Harris TB, Launer LJ, Eiriksdottir G, Kjartansson O, Jonsson PV, Sigurdsson G, Thorgeirsson G, Aspelund T, Garcia ME, Cotch MF, Hoffman HJ, Gudnason V. Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study: multidisciplinary applied phenomics. Am J Epidemiol. 2007;165(9):1076-1087.

  • Launer LJ. Is migraine with aura associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease? Nat Clin Pract Cardiovasc Med. 2007;4(3):126-127.

  • Launer LJ. Next steps in Alzheimer's disease research: interaction between epidemiology and basic science. Curr Alzheimer Res. 2007;4(2):141-143.

  • Launer LJ, Petrovitch H, Ross GW, Markesbery W, White LR. AD brain pathology: Vascular origins? Results from the HAAS autopsy study. Neurobiol Aging. 2007 April; [Epub ahead of print].

  • Peila R, Yucesoy B, White LR, Johnson V, Kashon ML, Wu K, Petrovitch H, Luster M, Launer LJ. A TGF-b1 polymorphism association with dementia and neuropathologies: The HAAS. Neurobiol Aging. 2007;28(9):1367-1373.

  • Saczynski JS, White L, Peila RL, Rodriguez BL, Launer LJ. The relation between apolipoprotein A-I and dementia: the Honolulu-Asia aging study. Am J Epidemiol. 2007;165(9):985-992.

  • Scher AI, Xu Y, Korf ES, White LR, Scheltens P, Toga AW, Thompson PM, Hartley SW, Witter MP, Valentino DJ, Launer LJ. Hippocampal shape analysis in Alzheimer's disease: A population-based study. Neuroimage. 2007;36(1):8-18.

  • Siggeirsdottir K, Aspelund T, Sigurdsson G, Mogensen B, Chang M, Jonsdottir B, Eiriksdottir G, Launer LJ, Harris TB, Jonsson BY, Gudnason V. Inaccuracy in self-report of fractures may underestimate association with health outcomes when compared with medical record based fracture registry. Eur J Epidemiol. 2007 July; [Epub ahead of print].

  • Stewart R, White LR, Xue QL, Launer LJ. Twenty-six-year change in total cholesterol levels and incident dementia: the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study. Arch Neurol. 2007;64(1):103-107.

  • Strozyk D, White LR, Petrovitch H, Geerlings MI, Remaley AT, Launer LJ. Sex hormones and neuropathology in elderly men: the HAAS. Neurobiol Aging. 2007;28(1):62-68.

  • Williamson JD, Miller ME, Bryan RN, Lazar RM, Coker LH, Johnson J, Cukierman T, Horowitz KR, Murray A, Launer LJ; ACCORD Study Group. The Action to Control Cardiovascular Risk in Diabetes Memory in Diabetes Study (ACCORD-MIND): rationale, design, and methods. Am J Cardiol. 2007;99(12A):112i-122i.

  • Eiriksdottir G, Aspelund T, Bjarnadottir K, Olafsdottir E, Launer LJ, Harris TB, Gudnason V. Apolipoprotein E genotype and statins affect CRP levels through independent and different mechanisms: AGES-Reykjavik Study. Atherosclerosis. 2006;186(1):222-224.

  • Freitag MH, Peila R, Masaki K, Petrovitch H, Webster Ross G, White LR, Launer LJ. Midlife pulse pressure and incidence of dementia. The Honolulu-Asia Aging Study. Stroke. 2006;37(1):33-37.

  • Geerlings MI, Strozyk D, Masaki K, Remaley AT, Petrovitch H, Ross GW, White LR, Launer LJ. Endogenous sex hormones, cognitive decline, and future dementia in old men. Ann Neurol. 2006;60(3):346-355.

  • Hartley SW, Scher AI, Korf ES, White LR, Launer LJ. Analysis and validation of automated skull stripping tools: a validation study based on 296 MR images from the Honolulu Asia aging study. Neuroimage. 2006;30(4):1179-1186.

  • Irie F, Strozyk D, Peila R, Korf ES, Remaley AT, Masaki K, White LR, Launer LJ. Brain lesions on MRI and endogenous sex hormones in elderly men. Neurobiol Aging. 2006;27(8):1137-1144.

  • Korf ES, White LR, Scheltens P, Launer LJ. Brain aging in very old men with type 2 diabetes: the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study. Diabetes Care. 2006;29(10):2268-2274.

  • Kruit MC, Launer LJ, Ferrari MD, van Buchem MA. Brain stem and cerebellar hyperintense lesions in migraine. Stroke. 2006;34(4):1109-1112.

  • Launer LJ. Prevention of AD: the which, when, and on whom? Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2006;20 Suppl 2:S75-S78.

  • Launer LJ, Berger K, Breteler MM, Dufouil C, Fuhrer R, Giampaoli S, Nilsson LG, Pajak A, de Ridder M, van Dijk EJ, Sans S, Schmidt R, Hofman A. Regional variability in the prevalence of cerebral white matter lesions: an MRI study in 9 European countries (CASCADE). Neuroepidemiology. 2006;26(1):23-29.

  • Marlowe L, Peila R, Benke KS, Hardy J, White LR, Launer LJ, Myers A. Insulin-degrading enzyme haplotypes affect insulin levels but not dementia risk. Neurodegener Dis. 2006;3(6):320-326.

  • Palm WM, Walchenbach R, Bruinsma B, Admiraal-Behloul F, Middelkoop HA, Launer LJ, van der Grond J, van Buchem MA. Intracranial compartment volumes in normal pressure hydrocephalus: volumetric assessment versus outcome. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol. 2006;27(1):76-79.

  • Peila R, Launer LJ. Inflammation and dementia: epidemiologic evidence. Acta Neurol Scand Suppl. 2006;185:102-106.

  • Peila R, White LR, Masaki K, Petrovitch H, Launer LJ. Reducing the risk of dementia: efficacy of long-term treatment of hypertension. Stroke. 2006;37(5):1165-1170.

  • Peila R, White LR, Masaki K, Petrovitch H, Launer LJ. Treating hypertension could lower dementia risk. Nurse Pract. 2006;31(8):56.

  • Saczynski JS, Pfeifer LA, Masaki K, Korf ES, Laurin D, White L, Launer LJ. The effect of social engagement on incident dementia. Am J Epidemiol. 2006;163(5):433-440.

  • Scher AI, Terwindt GM, Verschuren WM, Kruit MC, Blom HJ, Kowa H, Frants RR, van den Maagdenberg AM, van Buchem M, Ferrari MD, Launer LJ. Migraine and MTHFR C677T genotype in a population-based sample. Ann Neurol. 2006;59(2):372-375.

  • Soderlund H, Nilsson LG, Berger K, Breteler MM, Dufouil C, Fuhrer R, Giampaoli S, Hofman A, Pajak A, Ridder M, Sans S, Schmidt R, Launer LJ. Cerebral changes on MRI and cognitive function: The CASCADE study. Neurobiol Aging. 2006;27(1):16-23.

  • Thijs RD, Kruit MC, van Buchem MA, Ferrari MD, Launer LJ, van Dijk JG. Syncope in migraine: the population-based CAMERA study. Neurology. 2006;66(7):1034-1037.

  • Yucesoy B, Peila R, White LR, Wu KM, Johnson VJ, Kashon ML, Luster MI, Launer LJ. Association of interleukin-1 gene polymorphisms with dementia in a community-based sample: The Honolulu-Asia Aging Study. Neurobiol Aging. 2006;27(2):211-217.

  • den Heijer T, Launer LJ, Prins ND, van Dijk EJ, Vermeer SE, Hofman A, Koudstaal PJ, Breteler MM. Association between blood pressure, white matter lesions, and atrophy of the medial temporal lobe. Neurology. 2005;64(2):263-267.

  • Kruit MC, Launer LJ, Ferrari MD, van Buchem MA. Infarcts in the posterior circulation territory in migraine. The population-based MRI CAMERA study. Brain. 2005;128(Pt 9):2068-2077.

  • Kruit MC, Launer LJ, van Buchem MA, Terwindt GM, Ferrari MD. MRI findings in migraine. Rev Neurol (Paris). 2005;161(6-7):661-665.

  • Launer LJ. Diabetes and brain aging: epidemiologic evidence. Curr Diab Rep. 2005;5(1):59-63.

  • Launer LJ. The epidemiologic study of dementia: a life-long quest? Neurobiol Aging. 2005;26(3):335-340.

  • Scher AI, Terwindt GM, Picavet HS, Verschuren WM, Ferrari MD, Launer LJ. Cardiovascular risk factors and migraine: the GEM population-based study. Neurology. 2005;64(4):614-620.

  • Seeman TE, Huang MH, Bretsky P, Crimmins E, Launer L, Guralnik JM. Education and APOE-e4 in longitudinal cognitive decline: MacArthur Studies of Successful Aging. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 2005;60(2):P74-P83.

  • Sparks DL, Sabbagh MN, Connor DJ, Lopez J, Launer LJ, Browne P, Wasser D, Johnson-Traver S, Lochhead J, Ziolwolski C. Atorvastatin for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer disease: preliminary results. Arch Neurol. 2005;62(5):753-757.

  • Sparks DL, Sabbagh MN, Connor DJ, Lopez J, Launer LJ, Petanceska S, Browne P, Wassar D, Johnson-Traver S, Lochhead J, Ziolkowski C. Atorvastatin therapy lowers circulating cholesterol but not free radical activity in advance of identifiable clinical benefit in the treatment of mild-to-moderate AD. Curr Alzheimer Res. 2005;2(3):343-353.

  • Stewart R, Masaki K, Xue QL, Peila R, Petrovitch H, White LR, Launer LJ. A 32-year prospective study of change in body weight and incident dementia: the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study. Arch Neurol. 2005;62(1):55-60.

  • Laurin D, Masaki KH, Foley DJ, White LR, Launer LJ. Midlife dietary intake of antioxidants and risk of late-life incident dementia: The Honolulu-Asia Aging Study. Am. J. Epidemiol. 2004;159(10): 959-967.

  • Launer LJ. Epidemiologic evidence of oxidative stress in the brain. Eur. J. Epidemiol. 2004;19(2):99-100.

  • Ott A, Andersen K, Dewey ME, Letenneur L, Brayne C, Copeland JR, Dartigues JF, Kragh-Sorensen P, Lobo A, Martinez-Lage JM, Stijnen T, Hofman A, Launer LJ; EURODEM Incidence Research Group. Effect of smoking on global cognitive function in nondemented elderly. Neurology. 2004;62(6):920-924.

  • Schmidt R, Launer LJ, Nilsson LG, Pajak A, Sans S, Berger K, Breteler MM, de Ridder M, Dufouil C, Fuhrer R, Giampaoli S, Hofman A; CASCADE Consortium. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain in diabetes: the Cardiovascular Determinants of Dementia (CASCADE) Study. Diabetes. 2004;53(3):687-692.

  • Kruit MC, van Buchem MA, Hofman PA, Bakkers JT, Terwindt GM, Ferrari MD, Launer LJ. Migraine as a risk factor for subclinical brain lesions. JAMA. 291(4): 427-434, 2004.

  • Launer LJ, Brock DB. Population-based studies of AD: message and methods: an epidemiologic view. Stat. Med. 2004;23(2):191-197.

  • Soderlund H, Nyberg L, Adolfsson R, Nilsson LG, Launer LJ. High prevalence of white matter hyperintensities in normal aging: relation to blood pressure and cognition. Cortex. 2003;39(4-5):1093-1105.

  • Geerlings MI, Launer LJ, de Jong FH, Ruitenberg A, Stijnen T, van Swieten JC, Hofman A, Witteman JC, Pols HA, Breteler MM; Rotterdam Study. Endogenous estradiol and risk of dementia in women and men: the Rotterdam Study. Ann. Neurol. 2003;53(5):607-615.

  • Tyas SL, White LR, Petrovitch H, Webster Ross G, Foley DJ, Heimovitz HK, Launer LJ. Mid-life smoking and late-life dementia: the Honolulu-Asia Aging Study. Neurobiol. Aging. 2003;24(4):589-596.

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Updated: Thursday November 01, 2007